912 Bizhttp://savannahnow.com/opinion/blog/1046138
A blog covering the latest biz news in and around the Coastal Empire. Charts, data and multimedia friendly. enGotham's litterbugshttp://savannahnow.com/share/blog-post/julia-ritchey/opinion/2015-04-29/gothams-litterbugs
<p class="MsoNormal">Living in Savannah, you hear a lot of conspiratorial things about the city government. Corruption, cronyism, incompetence — sometimes, listening to the things people tell me, I think maybe I’m living in Gotham. It’s pretty exciting, actually!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Of course, not everything you hear turns out to be true. In fact, most doesn’t. It’s why I’d like to take a minute to thank the folks at the Recycling &amp; Litter Services Department, a subsidiary of the Sanitation Bureau, for promptly taking care of a concern of mine in March.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I live in the Sylvan Terrace neighborhood, perpendicular to Berkley Place, a major cut-through for cars speeding from Montgomery Street to Bull. It’s also heavily used by pedestrians going to the CAT bus stop on Montgomery, kids walking to Pulaski Elementary and hipsters walking their beagles such as myself.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I had been trying to pick up trash along the city’s sidewalk, but the rate at which people were throwing beer/liquor bottles and entire bags of fast food out their window was getting ridiculous. I collected three trash bags in one day last November. The next day, several new pieces reappeared.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Months later, in late March, I finally decided to email Jimmy Rhodes, director of recycling and litter for the city. To my surprise, I got a call right away from someone in the department (I’m sorry I forgot her name). Within a few days, a crew came and picked up the trash, then came back the next day to clear away a lot of the brush, overgrown branches and broken bottle shards hiding the sidewalk.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It took them less than an hour to do this, too.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It made me wonder why I had waited so long to contact the city. I think it had a lot to do with my perception, ingrained in me since moving here a year and a half ago, that the city is this Hobbesian leviathan of ineptitude. I wondered if the reason my neighbors or Pulaski Elementary school officials didn’t pick up the phone or email had to do with that, too.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Is it that people don’t care about litter anymore or that they don’t think any organization is able to address it? It’s an interesting sociological question, and one I hope is explored by the new <a href="https://www.facebook.com/KeepSavannahClean/info?tab=page_info" target="_blank">“Keep Savannah Clean” campaign</a>, a community coalition formed to tackle the city's refuse reputation (refustation?).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">One time, while I was picking up trash, dry heaving at the scent of a container of rotted Filet-O-Fish sandwich, a guy walked by and asked why I was collecting trash. I said, “Because it’s trash; it doesn’t belong on the sidewalk.” He nodded and kept walking.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Call me old fashioned, but in my day, kids going to school didn’t have to wade ankle deep in first-world muck. Community service shouldn’t be considered just some penalty levied at teens who spray paint graffiti on cement walls, it should be an expectation we have for ourselves as invested residents of a beautiful city.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The trash, unfortunately, continues to reappear. Being within proximity of several gas stations and fast food stops on DeRenne doesn’t help, nor does the lack of public trash cans near bus stops. But, hopefully, we’ll start to see new awareness with “Keep Savannah Clean.”</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I know other people may have nightmarish experiences to contradict my example, but not all problems require Batman.&nbsp;</p>
<div class="fivestar-static-form-item"><div class="form-item">
<label>Average: </label>
<div class="fivestar-widget-static fivestar-widget-static-vote fivestar-widget-static-5 clear-block"><div class="star star-1 star-odd star-first"><span class="off">0</span></div><div class="star star-2 star-even"><span class="off"></span></div><div class="star star-3 star-odd"><span class="off"></span></div><div class="star star-4 star-even"><span class="off"></span></div><div class="star star-5 star-odd star-last"><span class="off"></span></div></div>
<div class="description"><div class="fivestar-summary fivestar-summary-user"><span class="user-rating">Your rating: <span>None</span></span></div></div>
</div>
</div>http://savannahnow.com/share/blog-post/julia-ritchey/opinion/2015-04-29/gothams-litterbugs#commentsOpinionWed, 29 Apr 2015 15:41:09 +0000Julia Ritchey1091266 at http://savannahnow.comVote for The Grey's Mashama Bailey for best chef in the Southeast http://savannahnow.com/share/blog-post/julia-ritchey/business/2015-04-02/vote-greys-mashama-bailey-best-chef-southeast
<p>New restaurant and bar The Grey and its executive chef Mashama Bailey have made quite the splash since the space's grand opening in late December on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Featured in glossy magazine spreads and nominated for a James Beard award (or two), the upscale restaurant with a retro flare is making waves in the national culinary scene.</p>
<p><strong>Food &amp; Wine magazine</strong>&nbsp;is now holding open voting for Best New Chef 2015. Broken down by regional categories, Bailey is one of 10 contendors for the Southeast.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Here's the link where you can cast your vote for Bailey (through April 8):&nbsp;<a href="http://www.foodandwine.com/blogs/2015/4/1/the-peoples-best-new-chef-southeast-chefs" data-cke-saved-href="http://www.foodandwine.com/blogs/2015/4/1/the-peoples-best-new-chef-southeast-chefs">http://www.foodandwine.com/blogs/2015/4/1/the-peoples-best-new-chef-southeast-chefs</a></p>
<p>And&nbsp;<a href="http://savannahnow.com/exchange/2014-12-20/new-restaurant-grey-opens-gusto" data-cke-saved-href="http://savannahnow.com/exchange/2014-12-20/new-restaurant-grey-opens-gusto">here's the profile</a>&nbsp;I did back in December when they opened.&nbsp;</p>
<div class="fivestar-static-form-item"><div class="form-item">
<label>Average: </label>
<div class="fivestar-widget-static fivestar-widget-static-vote fivestar-widget-static-5 clear-block"><div class="star star-1 star-odd star-first"><span class="off">0</span></div><div class="star star-2 star-even"><span class="off"></span></div><div class="star star-3 star-odd"><span class="off"></span></div><div class="star star-4 star-even"><span class="off"></span></div><div class="star star-5 star-odd star-last"><span class="off"></span></div></div>
<div class="description"><div class="fivestar-summary fivestar-summary-user"><span class="user-rating">Your rating: <span>None</span></span></div></div>
</div>
</div>http://savannahnow.com/share/blog-post/julia-ritchey/business/2015-04-02/vote-greys-mashama-bailey-best-chef-southeast#commentsBusinessThu, 02 Apr 2015 15:55:14 +0000Julia Ritchey1088680 at http://savannahnow.comThe end of the (Marc by Marc Jacobs) line?http://savannahnow.com/share/blog-post/julia-ritchey/business/2015-03-23/end-marc-marc-jacobs-line
<p>Fashion designer Marc Jacobs confirmed over the weekend he is discontinuing his entry-level Marc by Marc Jacobs line, but what of the Savannah store?</p>
<p><a href="http://nymag.com/thecut/2015/03/jacobs-speaks-confirms-marc-by-marc-closure.html">News reports say</a>&nbsp;the brand will be absorbed into Marc Jacobs main line as it prepares for an IPO (initial public offering) later this year. The lower price-point brand is sold at about 15 freestanding stores across the United States, including on Broughton Street. That store opened in 2007, a surprising location for a brand typically found in major cities.</p>
<p>I called the Broughton Street store this morning to see what kind of answer I would get as a customer. I got an emphatic albeit curt "absolutely" when asked if they would continue carrying Marc by Marc Jacobs after the announcement. I also asked if there was any chance they would discontinue it by the summer and got a "no."&nbsp;</p>
<p>Hardly official, but it seems stores have been instructed to reassure customers to keep shopping the line for the time being. That doesn't mean changes aren't afoot.&nbsp;</p>
<p>In an interview with "Women's Wear Daily,"&nbsp;<a href="http://ny.racked.com/2015/3/23/8276877/marc-jacobs-stores-nyc">CEO Sebastial Suhl suggested</a>&nbsp;that the multiple Marc by Marc Jacobs stores in New York would be rebranded under a new unified label rather than closed.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<div class="fivestar-static-form-item"><div class="form-item">
<label>Average: </label>
<div class="fivestar-widget-static fivestar-widget-static-vote fivestar-widget-static-5 clear-block"><div class="star star-1 star-odd star-first"><span class="off">0</span></div><div class="star star-2 star-even"><span class="off"></span></div><div class="star star-3 star-odd"><span class="off"></span></div><div class="star star-4 star-even"><span class="off"></span></div><div class="star star-5 star-odd star-last"><span class="off"></span></div></div>
<div class="description"><div class="fivestar-summary fivestar-summary-user"><span class="user-rating">Your rating: <span>None</span></span></div></div>
</div>
</div>http://savannahnow.com/share/blog-post/julia-ritchey/business/2015-03-23/end-marc-marc-jacobs-line#commentsBusinessMon, 23 Mar 2015 15:16:26 +0000Julia Ritchey1087690 at http://savannahnow.comAccepting nominations for 2014 business accoladeshttp://savannahnow.com/share/blog-post/julia-ritchey/2014-11-19/accepting-nominations-2014-business-accolades
<p>The Business in Savannah team is now accepting nominations for its 2014 business accolades. We’re looking for entrepreneurs and businesses that fit the following categories:</p>
<p>-Manufacturer of the Year<br />-Business Advocate of the Year<br />-Entrepreneurial Business of the Year<br />-Newcomer of the Year<br />-Small Business of the Year<br />-Retail Business of the Year<br />-Business Education Partner of the Year</p>
<p>Please leave a comment with your nominations or e-mail our BiS editor Gale Baldwin at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:gale.baldwin@savannahnow.com" data-cke-saved-href="mailto:gale.baldwin@savannahnow.com">gale.baldwin@savannahnow.com</a>. Deadline to submit is Monday, Dec. 1.</p>
<div class="fivestar-static-form-item"><div class="form-item">
<label>Average: </label>
<div class="fivestar-widget-static fivestar-widget-static-vote fivestar-widget-static-5 clear-block"><div class="star star-1 star-odd star-first"><span class="off">0</span></div><div class="star star-2 star-even"><span class="off"></span></div><div class="star star-3 star-odd"><span class="off"></span></div><div class="star star-4 star-even"><span class="off"></span></div><div class="star star-5 star-odd star-last"><span class="off"></span></div></div>
<div class="description"><div class="fivestar-summary fivestar-summary-user"><span class="user-rating">Your rating: <span>None</span></span></div></div>
</div>
</div>http://savannahnow.com/share/blog-post/julia-ritchey/2014-11-19/accepting-nominations-2014-business-accolades#commentsWed, 19 Nov 2014 21:42:58 +0000Julia Ritchey1076584 at http://savannahnow.comJ. Crew opening on Broughton Street Sept. 10http://savannahnow.com/share/blog-post/julia-ritchey/2014-09-09/j-crew-opening-broughton-street-sept-10
<p>Peacoat lovers rejoice: J. Crew is opening its first Savannah location on Broughton Street tomorrow, Wed., Sept. 10.&nbsp;</p>
<p>(Seriously, is it peacoat weather yet? If not ... when?)</p>
<p>The store will open at 10 a.m. at its location at 201 W. Broughton St. This is maybe the third national retailer to open its doors on Broughton Street this year since developer Ben Carter began a multi-million dollar project to revitalize the corridor.</p>
<p>The developer has acquired several dozen buildings to lease out to national retailers. J. Crew will join newcomers Palm Avenue at 223 W. Broughton and the recently opened LOFT at 15 W. Broughton (a building not owned by Carter).&nbsp;</p>
<p>According to a spokeswoman, there will be refreshments from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and customers who spend more than $250 will also receive a free gift — while supplies last.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Store hours are as follows:<br />Mon - Fri: 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.<br />Sat: 9:30 a.m. - 9 p.m.<br />Sun: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.&nbsp;</p>
<div class="fivestar-static-form-item"><div class="form-item">
<label>Average: </label>
<div class="fivestar-widget-static fivestar-widget-static-vote fivestar-widget-static-5 clear-block"><div class="star star-1 star-odd star-first"><span class="off">0</span></div><div class="star star-2 star-even"><span class="off"></span></div><div class="star star-3 star-odd"><span class="off"></span></div><div class="star star-4 star-even"><span class="off"></span></div><div class="star star-5 star-odd star-last"><span class="off"></span></div></div>
<div class="description"><div class="fivestar-summary fivestar-summary-user"><span class="user-rating">Your rating: <span>None</span></span></div></div>
</div>
</div>http://savannahnow.com/share/blog-post/julia-ritchey/2014-09-09/j-crew-opening-broughton-street-sept-10#commentsTue, 09 Sep 2014 19:50:40 +0000Julia Ritchey1070094 at http://savannahnow.comWage protests hit Savannah-area McDonald'shttp://savannahnow.com/share/blog-post/julia-ritchey/business/2014-09-08/minimum-wage-protests-hit-savannah-area-mcdonalds
<p>About a dozen protestors gathered at the McDonald's on the corner of Victory Drive and Montgomery Street on Friday, part of a nationwide strike of fast food workers pushing for higher wages.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The protestors held printed signs reading "America Needs a Rai$e" and "Raise the Minimum Wage" while passing vehicles honked or simply stared.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Demonstrations took place in hundreds of other cities coast to coast, including Atlanta where about 10 people were arrested.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Picketers are asking for a minimum wage of $15 as well as the right to unionize without fear of retaliation. Local activist groups and some unions have helped organize the movement.</p>
<p>The issue of a "living wage" has gained steam this year with the passing of a $15 minimum wage in Seattle, the first such municipality to do so. (That decision is currently being <a href="http://fortune.com/2014/08/14/paul-clement-minimum-wage-seattle-supreme-court/" target="_blank">challenged in court</a> by the International Franchise Assocation.)&nbsp;</p>
<p>Although protests center around chains such as McDonald's, the issue has resonated across the service industry, from fast food to fine dining, where many start out at low hourly wages.</p>
<p>Critics of these protests, including fast food chains and the National Restaurant Association, say raising wages could force layoffs and menu price hikes.&nbsp;</p>
<p><img src="http://s7.postimg.org/83hzxzwe3/Raise_Mc_Donald_s.jpg" alt="" width="480" height="480" /></p>
<p>(Julia Ritchey / Savannah Morning News - A protestor holds a sign beside McDonald's at Victory and Montgomery in Savannah.)</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<div class="fivestar-static-form-item"><div class="form-item">
<label>Average: </label>
<div class="fivestar-widget-static fivestar-widget-static-vote fivestar-widget-static-5 clear-block"><div class="star star-1 star-odd star-first"><span class="off">0</span></div><div class="star star-2 star-even"><span class="off"></span></div><div class="star star-3 star-odd"><span class="off"></span></div><div class="star star-4 star-even"><span class="off"></span></div><div class="star star-5 star-odd star-last"><span class="off"></span></div></div>
<div class="description"><div class="fivestar-summary fivestar-summary-user"><span class="user-rating">Your rating: <span>None</span></span></div></div>
</div>
</div>http://savannahnow.com/share/blog-post/julia-ritchey/business/2014-09-08/minimum-wage-protests-hit-savannah-area-mcdonalds#commentsBusinessMon, 08 Sep 2014 17:10:10 +0000Julia Ritchey1070006 at http://savannahnow.comA sneak peak at new biz incubator Creators' Foundryhttp://savannahnow.com/share/blog-post/julia-ritchey/2014-08-20/sneak-peak-new-biz-incubator-creators-foundry
<p>A cross section of Savannah showed up last night for a sneak peak at the Creative Coast's latest endeavor: a business incubator dubbed Creators' Foundry.</p>
<p>From budding entrepreneurs to established architects, flacks and city staff, guests sipped beers and snacked while strolling through the old 16,000-square-foot industrial warehouse, formerly home to SCAD's Boundary Hall and its now-defunct sculpture minor.</p>
<p>The Creative Coast, headed by executive director Bea Wray, wants the Foundry to provide a launchpad for budding entrepreneurs and startups as well space for cultural and civic events.&nbsp;</p>
<p>A blueprint designed by Gunn Meyerhoff Shay Architects shows the vision for the interior, roughly divided into six different areas.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The LAUNCHpad at the back of the building is envisioned as space for indpendent companies who are looking for workspace to grow their business, the GEEKpond is described as a flexibile space open to community events and workshops, and the BIZlab is an area for more intensive coaching and mentoring for select high growth organizations.&nbsp;</p>
<p>More info at:&nbsp;http://www.thecreativecoast.org/creators-foundry/</p>
<div class="fivestar-static-form-item"><div class="form-item">
<label>Average: </label>
<div class="fivestar-widget-static fivestar-widget-static-vote fivestar-widget-static-5 clear-block"><div class="star star-1 star-odd star-first"><span class="off">0</span></div><div class="star star-2 star-even"><span class="off"></span></div><div class="star star-3 star-odd"><span class="off"></span></div><div class="star star-4 star-even"><span class="off"></span></div><div class="star star-5 star-odd star-last"><span class="off"></span></div></div>
<div class="description"><div class="fivestar-summary fivestar-summary-user"><span class="user-rating">Your rating: <span>None</span></span></div></div>
</div>
</div>http://savannahnow.com/share/blog-post/julia-ritchey/2014-08-20/sneak-peak-new-biz-incubator-creators-foundry#commentsWed, 20 Aug 2014 16:03:11 +0000Julia Ritchey1068248 at http://savannahnow.comMedient CEO to appear before Effingham County IDAhttp://savannahnow.com/share/blog-post/julia-ritchey/2014-07-16/medient-ceo-appear-effingham-county-ida
<p>The CEO of Medient Studios is set to appear before the Effingham County Industrial Development Authority on Thursday to give an update on the entertainment company's studioplex plans.</p>
<p>Jake Shapiro is scheduled to give a presentation at the IDA this week at their regular meeting at their offices in Springfield. The meeting will begin at 6 p.m.</p>
<p>The company has had a turbulent month since it fired its founder and former CEO Manu Kumaran on June 9. The company's stock was suspended for 10 days earlier this month by the SEC and two lawsuits have been filed against them, including one by Kumaran seeking to dissolve the corporation.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Those interested should follow our Effingham reporter G.G. Rigsby on Twitter (<a href="https://twitter.com/GGRigsby1" target="_blank">@GGRigsby1</a>), who will be covering the IDA meeting.&nbsp;</p>
<div class="fivestar-static-form-item"><div class="form-item">
<label>Average: </label>
<div class="fivestar-widget-static fivestar-widget-static-vote fivestar-widget-static-5 clear-block"><div class="star star-1 star-odd star-first"><span class="off">0</span></div><div class="star star-2 star-even"><span class="off"></span></div><div class="star star-3 star-odd"><span class="off"></span></div><div class="star star-4 star-even"><span class="off"></span></div><div class="star star-5 star-odd star-last"><span class="off"></span></div></div>
<div class="description"><div class="fivestar-summary fivestar-summary-user"><span class="user-rating">Your rating: <span>None</span></span></div></div>
</div>
</div>http://savannahnow.com/share/blog-post/julia-ritchey/2014-07-16/medient-ceo-appear-effingham-county-ida#commentsBusinessWed, 16 Jul 2014 16:18:41 +0000Julia Ritchey1065204 at http://savannahnow.comChatham County, you're looking good for your agehttp://savannahnow.com/share/blog-post/julia-ritchey/2014-07-02/chatham-county-youre-looking-good-your-median-age
<p class="MsoNormal">Chatham County's population is getting some gray, at least according to new data released by the U.S. Census Bureau this week detailing changes in demographics in 2013.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Savannah Morning News’ Marcus Howard <a href="http://m.savannahnow.com/news/2014-06-28/census-minorities-now-majority-chatham-county" target="_blank">wrote about the recent changes in Chatham County’s minority demographics</a>, now a majority, and what that could mean for future elected representation. The annual study also makes projections for population, sex and age.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">According to the numbers, Chatham’s median age increased by four-tenths of year in 2013 to 34.3, slightly below the state average of 35.9. Georgia, in fact, has the youngest median age of all the Southeastern states, compared to 41.5 in Florida, 38.4 in South Carolina and 38.1 in North Carolina.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The women of Chatham, after successfully holding for two years at age 35.4, ticked up four-tenths of year to 35.8. The men of Chatham County also increased to a median age of 32.9.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We’re not alone in our maturation. Most of the United States is growing older, with the exception of the Great Plains states thanks to a boom in oil and natural gas exploration.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Neighboring Effingham County’s median age increased to 35.8, a year-over-year change of .2, while Bryan actually reversed age by one-tenth of a year to 34.3.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Other cool and random stats from the latest census:<br />* The number of people age 100+ reached 67,000 in 2013.<br />*Asians had the highest rate of growth followed by Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders, American Indians and Alaska Natives and blacks/African-Americans.<br />*Utah is the nation’s youngest state with an average age of 29.2<br />*Washington Post's Wonkblog did a neat map with all the median age changes by county. </p>
<p>&nbsp;<img src="/sites/default/files/imce/staff_uploads/MedianAge_0.jpg" alt="" width="438" height="103" /></p>
<p><em>Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Selected Age Groups by Sex for the United States, States, Counties, and Puerto Rico Commonwealth and Municipios: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2013&nbsp;</em><em>Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division&nbsp;</em><em>Release Date: June 2014</em>&nbsp;
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<div class="fivestar-static-form-item"><div class="form-item">
<label>Average: </label>
<div class="fivestar-widget-static fivestar-widget-static-vote fivestar-widget-static-5 clear-block"><div class="star star-1 star-odd star-first"><span class="off">0</span></div><div class="star star-2 star-even"><span class="off"></span></div><div class="star star-3 star-odd"><span class="off"></span></div><div class="star star-4 star-even"><span class="off"></span></div><div class="star star-5 star-odd star-last"><span class="off"></span></div></div>
<div class="description"><div class="fivestar-summary fivestar-summary-user"><span class="user-rating">Your rating: <span>None</span></span></div></div>
</div>
</div>http://savannahnow.com/share/blog-post/julia-ritchey/2014-07-02/chatham-county-youre-looking-good-your-median-age#commentsBusinessWed, 02 Jul 2014 20:22:50 +0000Julia Ritchey1064061 at http://savannahnow.comWorld Cup fever in Savannahhttp://savannahnow.com/share/blog-post/julia-ritchey/2014-07-02/world-cup-fever-savannah
<p>America's loss was also its gain Tuesday as the U.S. Men's National Team suffered a heartbreaking defeat against Belgium (or "Winn-Dixie France" as one Twitter user put it).</p>
<p>More Americans have been tuning in this World Cup than previous years thanks in part to some great match-ups and a reinvigorated U.S. team (sorry, Landon).</p>
<p>This year's American team, led by German coach Jurgen Klinsmann, has captivated both old fans, new fans and curious onlookers alike.</p>
<p>FIFA, the international governing body of the sport, said that nearly <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-switch/wp/2014/07/01/proof-americans-care-more-about-soccer-than-you-think/?hpid=z4" target="_blank">20 percent of traffic to its website and apps</a> were from, shockingly enough, Americans.</p>
<p>In Savannah on Tuesday, several fans skipped out of work early to make their way to local watering holes, the majority of which had all screens dedicated to the showdown.</p>
<p>Anthony Tran draped himself in an American flag as he stood to watch the projection screen at Flip Flop's Tiki Bar and Grill on Whitaker Street, one of the most popular spots for celebrating soccerdom. He said the U.S. is finally ready to embrace the sport.</p>
<p>"This is our chance to let the world know that we're a soccer nation," said Tran. "It's giving positive attention to America.</p>
<p>According to FIFA's data, Georgia ranked eighth among the top 10 states driving traffic to their site with 2.5 million visitors.</p>
<p>At McDonough's on Perry Lane, a man who would only identify himself as Craig said he'd watched the last two games.</p>
<p>"I'm actually a little embarrassed because I showed up thinking we were playing Algeria," said Craig.</p>
<p>Another perk of the World Cup for Americans? Free geography lessons.</p>
<p>Christopher McCammon sat a few bar tables away from "Craig" and said it was only in the last month he'd gotten into watching the game, admitting he'd been more of a baseball fan for most of his life.</p>
<p>"For years I've been determined to learn about it and it just never happened," he said.</p>
<p>As the 90th minute rolled around with a tied score, the anticipation grew thick. Men went outside to smoke, more $5 Yuenglings were ordered (seriously, $5?) and overtime commenced. All the scoring that failed to happen during regular play seemed to break loose, and soon it was 2-1 Belgium with six minutes left.</p>
<p>And then it was over.</p>
<p>Heads slumped, deep sighs were heard and hands were raised to foreheads. But how 'bout that goalkeeper Tim Howard?</p>
<p>Does an admirable adrenaline-soaked performance at the 2014 World Cup mean a new revolution in America? Check the stands at the next Major League Soccer bout (<a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/schedule" target="_blank">schedule here</a>).</p>
<p><a href="http://beta.spotted.savannahnow.com/mediadetail/19354231?channel=25919&amp;gId=538561" target="_blank">Spotted gallery of Savannah fans here.</a></p>
<div class="fivestar-static-form-item"><div class="form-item">
<label>Average: </label>
<div class="fivestar-widget-static fivestar-widget-static-vote fivestar-widget-static-5 clear-block"><div class="star star-1 star-odd star-first"><span class="off">0</span></div><div class="star star-2 star-even"><span class="off"></span></div><div class="star star-3 star-odd"><span class="off"></span></div><div class="star star-4 star-even"><span class="off"></span></div><div class="star star-5 star-odd star-last"><span class="off"></span></div></div>
<div class="description"><div class="fivestar-summary fivestar-summary-user"><span class="user-rating">Your rating: <span>None</span></span></div></div>
</div>
</div>http://savannahnow.com/share/blog-post/julia-ritchey/2014-07-02/world-cup-fever-savannah#commentsSportsWed, 02 Jul 2014 17:13:58 +0000Julia Ritchey1064050 at http://savannahnow.com